VE Commodore any good as a racecar? What CAMS class etc.?

[happy1]

I was offered a VE bodyshell only suitable for motorsports or parts, that wouldn't need too much panel beating. Its a sedan. I already have most parts for it, including suspensions, some panels, and a L98 engine.

The question is, I tried to have a quick look at the CAMS website, I couldn't determine is there a suitable racing class for VE? ( Obviously out of my plans and budget to build a V8 Supercup car...)

Would this be a valuable racecar to build, or should I find something much smaller to put my L98 into, and just use it for sunday-track days?

Also if you don't mind, what would be the list of parts I would need in order to qualify for a CAMS logbook, and have a fun car? Roll cage, seat, harness, engine tuning, manual trans (mine is auto), new diff with higher ratio, coilover suspension, larger brakes, tyres, fuel cell, engine tuning, at least a camshaft and exhaust, dyno tuning, wheel alignment, Would this be about it, or a lot more?
Cheers :confused:

[GHZ28]

Being in WA and not on the East coast I think you need to first find out what categories of racing are available to you, and then build to suit one or more of those categories.

Over here we are a bit spoilt for classes with both CAMS and AASA events, especially in SE QLD.

Also a basic decision is do you really want to go racing in a category or have a track car just for sprints/fun.

On the car build, the parts list you offered is about it, but the big ongoing cost will be tyres and brakes with a heavy car like a Commodore, trust me, I know!

gh

[feistl]

The L98 is a good engine because its less than 6000cc, so your fine in that regard.

The VE is a pretty heavy car, so to make it competitive is going to be pretty expensive... Im not sure what races are available. Do you want to race or just do track days?

There seems to be plenty of race series around for older classics. Something like an older Torana or early commodore would be considerably lighter...

Have you done circuit work before? Ive got a VX Track car and we estimate a day on the track (just as a track car) costs around $1000. Thats using "endurance" type tyres/brakes due to the cheapness compared to "racing" pads/tyres.

One of the guys from eastcomm wreckers used to race a VT race car... He said a weekend of racing was between $3500-4000. So yeah, just be aware with a bigger car it aint cheap.

Cheers, Errol.

[llucie]

Build something basic for the drag strip , lots of fun without the big $$ .

[Blakrok]

Don't even bother looking at the available categories if you havent already done 20 trackdays or a dozen supersprints.

[happy1]

Thanks for the advice guys,
I will certainly not be building something as heavy as a VE for racecar, that's for sure :)

I will look for something ultra light weight, and possibly fit the L98 there.

Maybe something like a Huyndai Getz / Barina / Fiesta with L98 shoe horned in where the back seat used to be...

I guess you are right... Remember something from physics studies at Uni, when you double the mass it makes 4 times the force when accelerating it, or moving in circles..

Almost shame to spend all that effort building some crazy build with a 6 litre, without having it road registered too ;)
Cheers

[feistl]

:confused: Waaay to difficult to convert a small hatch.

Id be looking at building up an old torana or early commodore. This conversion has been done many times before, so parts will be available. A track prep'd torana/VH/Vk will be around 1300kg and bloody fast.

They'll be RWD, easily fit the block and relatively cheap.

Cheers

[Blakrok]

Weight is your enemy when tracking a car, even 1300kg is massive!

The more weight means more power means more cooling means more brakes means more tyres means more fuel it just never ends. The result of all of this means big dollars just to have some fun.

I learnt this about 3-4yrs ago, took a different approach about having some trackday fun and bought myself the american version of an 'aussie racing car'. At only 500kg it means I can drive it all day long without having to worry about anything, tyres and brakes feel as good the lap I go out as they do the lap before I put it back on the trailer!

Last year I did 6 trackdays, I worked out for event entry, tyres and fuel it cost me $27 per/week for the entire year. Maintenance was absolutely zero, didnt have to turn a single spanner on it for the entire year. That's exactly the way it should be too, so many friends have high powered cars (250-450kw) but they do 1 trackday and then spend 6-9mths repairing the damage or upgrading components that arent up to the task (due to the reasons I mentioned at the top).

PS. My American Aussie car is for sale if anyone is interested (pics (http://www.users.on.net/~gtr32/nascup/)) as I want to upgrade to a Radical SR3.

[happy1]

Lotus super 7 is a very light weight option. Have seen them with LS1, so should be the same with LS2, maybe even 4wd, as the Rush 4x4 was a super 7 with 4x4.

The other option is something like this. Focus with V8 bolt in. (no welding) http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html

Shouldn't be to difficult to do this, but shame to have an old fashion rear suspension. Not sure if that would be disadvantage.
Cheers

[Smitty]

............

Have you done circuit work before? Ive got a VX Track car and we estimate a day on the track (just as a track car) costs around $1000. Thats using "endurance" type tyres/brakes due to the cheapness compared to "racing" pads/tyres.

One of the guys from eastcomm wreckers used to race a VT race car... He said a weekend of racing was between $3500-4000. So yeah, just be aware with a bigger car it aint cheap.

Cheers, Errol.

mate of mine bought that eastcomm VT a few months ago
it needs lots of TLC but its first dyno run in his hands (bit of a test and tune)
it made just over 330rwkw ...and it was misfiring over 5000 so that needs fixing
then next job is to get it to stop :rofl:

having said that...what he is doing (partial rebuild) and then off to
hillclimbs supersprints wont be cheap

[ls2_297]

I see you're in Perth... we are currently in the process of building a VE Clubsport to race in the Improved Production class over here in WA. Where running a couple of VY's currently and the VE is just as quick with the stock motor (runs Full adjustable suspension, cage ect.) as what our built VY's with 500+ at the rears, its just such a more balanced platform. I know of at least 2 that are being built elsewhere for I.P as well as people are beginning to realise what a good car to start with they are. We'll have the car below 1500kgs by the time where finished with a good 550hp atw so it should be a rocket. Provided you've got the money theres a lot you can do!!